Process for replacing a motor-vehicle convertible top

Abstract

A process for replacing a first soft-top of a convertible-top of a motor vehicle with a second soft-top includes removing the first soft-top from the convertible-top. The first soft-top is separated from a headliner of the convertible-top. The second soft-top is selected. The second soft-top has a window larger than a window of the first soft-top. A plurality of receptacles are fixed to an edge of the larger window. The second soft-top is attached to the motor vehicle. The larger window is connected directly to the headliner by engaging headliner anchors with the receptacles fixed to the larger window.

1. A process for replacing a first soft-top of a convertible-top of a motor vehicle with a second soft-top, comprising the steps of:
 removing the first soft-top from the convertible-top; 
 separating the first soft-top from a headliner of the convertible-top; 
 selecting the second soft-top having a window larger than a window of the first soft-top; 
 fixing a plurality of receptacles to an edge of the larger window; 
 attaching the second soft-top to the motor vehicle; and 
 connecting the larger window directly to the headliner by engaging headliner anchors with the receptacles fixed to the larger window. 
 
   
   
     2. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the fixing step includes the step of aligning the receptacles with the headliner anchors. 
   
   
     3. The process of  claim 2 , wherein the aligning step includes the step of aligning a pocket of each receptacle with a respective one of the anchors. 
   
   
     4. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the fixing step includes the step of integrally forming the receptacles with the larger window. 
   
   
     5. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the fixing step includes the step of adhering the receptacles to the larger window. 
   
   
     6. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the selecting step includes the step of selecting the larger window and securing the larger window to the second soft-top. 
   
   
     7. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting step includes the step of mechanically connecting the receptacles and anchors utilizing a plurality of fasteners. 
   
   
     8. The process of  claim 7 , wherein each fastener comprises a flexible clip for gripping and elastically retaining the anchor within a pocket of the respective receptacle. 
   
   
     9. The process of  claim 7 , wherein each fastener comprises a threaded shaft for matingly engaging a threaded pocket of the respective receptacle. 
   
   
     10. The process of  claim 7 , wherein each anchor includes a base connected to the headliner and an inverted U-shaped bar connected to the base, and each fastener includes a flexible clip for hooking a respective anchor; wherein free ends of the clip are frictionally retained within a pocket of the receptacle. 
   
   
     11. A process for replacing a first soft-top of a convertible-top of a motor vehicle with a second soft-top, comprising the steps of:
 removing the first soft-top from the convertible-top; 
 separating the first soft-top from a headliner of the convertible-top; 
 selecting the second soft-top having a window larger than a window of the first soft-top; 
 fixing a plurality of receptacles to an edge of the larger window; 
 attaching the second soft-top to the motor vehicle; and 
 connecting the larger window directly to the headliner by engaging headliner anchors with the receptacles fixed to the larger window; wherein the fixing step includes the step of aligning the receptacles with the headliner anchors, and the connecting step includes the step of mechanically connecting the receptacles and anchors utilizing a plurality of fasteners. 
 
   
   
     12. The process of  claim 11 , wherein the aligning step includes the step of aligning a pocket of each receptacle with a respective one of the anchors. 
   
   
     13. The process of  claim 11 , wherein the fixing step includes the step of integrally forming the receptacles with the larger window. 
   
   
     14. The process of  claim 11 , wherein the fixing step includes the step of adhering the receptacles to the larger window. 
   
   
     15. The process of  claim 11 , wherein the selecting step includes the step of selecting the larger window and securing the larger window to the second soft-top. 
   
   
     16. The process of  claim 11 , wherein each fastener comprises a flexible clip for gripping and elastically retaining the anchor within a pocket of the respective receptacle. 
   
   
     17. The process of  claim 11 , wherein each fastener comprises a threaded shaft for matingly engaging a threaded pocket of the respective receptacle. 
   
   
     18. The process of  claim 11 , wherein each anchor includes a base connected to the headliner and an inverted U-shaped bar connected to the base, and each fastener includes a flexible clip for hooking a respective anchor; wherein free ends of the clip are frictionally retained within a pocket of the receptacle. 
   
   
     19. A process for replacing a first soft-top of a convertible-top of a motor vehicle with a second soft-top, comprising the steps of:
 removing the first soft-top from the convertible-top; 
 separating the first soft-top from a headliner of the convertible-top; 
 selecting the second soft-top having a window larger than a window of the first soft-top; 
 fixing a plurality of receptacles to an edge of the larger window; 
 attaching the second soft-top to the motor vehicle; and 
 connecting the larger window directly to the headliner by engaging headliner anchors with the receptacles fixed to the larger window; wherein the fixing step includes the step of aligning a pocket of each receptacle with a respective one of the headliner anchors, the selecting step includes the step of selecting the larger window and securing the larger window to the second soft-top, and the connecting step includes the step of mechanically connecting the receptacles and anchors utilizing a plurality of fasteners; each fastener comprising a flexible clip for hooking, gripping and elastically retaining a respective anchor within a pocket of the respective receptacle with free ends of the clip frictionally retained within the pocket, and each anchor includes a base connected to the headliner and an inverted U-shaped bar connected to the base. 
 
   
   
     20. The process of  claim 19 , wherein the fixing step includes the step of integrally forming the receptacles with the larger window. 
   
   
     21. The process of  claim 19 , wherein the fixing step includes the step of adhering the receptacles to the larger window.